Argentina jails officials from 'Dirty War'

Former naval officer Alfredo Astiz among 12 officials jailed for life over torture and murder during military rule.

27 Oct 2011 02:20 GMT

Alfredo Astiz, dubbed Blond Angel of Death, has been accused of human rights abuses during 1976-1983 military rule

A court in Argentina has sentenced 12 former military and police officials to life in prison for crimes againsthumanity committed during the country's 1976-1983 dictatorship.

The men were convicted of kidnapping, torturing and killing leftist dissidents at a torture centre called the Navy Mechanics School.

Among those sentenced was Alfredo Astiz, a 59-year-old former navy officer dubbed "the Angel of Death".

Astiz is accused of participating in the disappearance, torture and murder of two French nuns, a journalist and three founders of a human rights group that he infiltrated while spying for the dictatorship.

Official figures say 9,000 people were kidnapped, tortured and killed in what became known as Argentina's "Dirty War," but many believe the real number to be closer to 30,000.